Carl Nassib Is The First Active NFL Player To Come Out As Gay : NPR

Contents:

• IMHO: THE GAY STORYLE ON "THE GAME" PLAYED OUT {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 3, 2009/1:52 PMBY BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 3, 2009 / 1:52 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"IMHO: THE GAY STORYLE ON \"THE GAME\" PLAYED OUT NICELY","DATEPUBLISHED":"2009-02-03T18:52:05.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2009-02-03T18:52:05.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BRENT HARTGER","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN LAST WEEK'S EPISO OF THE GAME, THE CW SPORTS S ABOUT FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND THEIR WIV, WE WERE LEFT ON A RATHER DISPRIRG NOTE, WH CLAY, AN OUTED PLAYER, LEFT ALONE THE LOCKERROOM, ABANDONED BY HIS TEAMMAT — PECIALLY THE S'S LEAD CHARACTER, MALIK (HOSEA CHANCEZ).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PICKG UP THE STORY THIS WEEK (ON FRIDAY), MICKEY (BRIAN MCGOVERN), THE TEAM MANAGER, HAS HAD A CHANCE TO THK THGS THROUGH, AND HE'S CID, "WE'RE ALL GOG TO STAND BEHD CLAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WELL, THAT'S BETTER THAN STANDG ONT OF HIM!" LLS OUT ONE OF THE PLAYERS. MALIK EVEN RIGHT OUT AND REFERS TO CLAY AS A "FAG." LATER, ONE OF THE FOOTPLAYER PLAYERS' WIV GETS DNK AND TELLS A SERI OF SURPRISGLY RIBALD GAY JOK. "WHY ARE GAY MEN THE FIRST ON TO CHECK OUT OF A HOTEL? BEE THEY GET THEIR STUFF PACKED AT NIGHT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRIAN MCGOVERN AND COBY BELL ON THE GAME (PHOTO: STT HUMBERT/THE CW){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN OTHER WORDS, THE FOOTPLAYERS TALK AND ACT LIKE BIGOTED, HOMOPHOBIC JOCKS, AND THEIR WIV ACT LIKE DNKEN BRALS TWS — WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY I LIKED THIS EPISO SO MUCH. Y, SOME OF THE HOMOPHOBIC JOK GOT "LGHS" OM THE STUD DIENCE (THOUGH I NOTED THE LGH TRACK WAS NOTIBLY MEASURED ON MOST OF THEM).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE SHOW DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF PORTRAYG HOMOPHOBIA ALL S UGLY GLORY — AND HOW ALL THE RT OF , RELIGN AND THE OTHER "ARGUMENTS" WE SO OFTEN HEAR, ARE UALLY JT A VENEER FOR BLATANT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS BEG A S, THGS ARE WRAPPED UP THE END, BUT EVEN THAT WASN'T S-TYPIL. WHY ARE PEOPLE ULTIMATELY MOTIVATED TO ACCEPT THE GAY PLAYER? COLD HARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"CLAY ULD BE OUR GOLN RABOW PARACHUTE!" THE TEAM MANAGER SAYS. "BEG THE FIRST TEAM WH AN OPENLY GAY ATHELETE WOULD BRG TONS OF PUBLICY. PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE GAYS WILL SHOW UP AND CHEER, PEOPLE WHO HATE THE GAYS'LL SHOW UP AND BOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"SO THIS IS ABOUT MONEY?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"Y!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASILLY, EVERYONE, EVEN THE PEOPLE DOG THE "RIGHT" THG, IS MOTIVATED BY MONEY. MEANWHILE, NO ONE IS PARTICULARLY BRIGHT, NOR GIV MUCH THOUGHT TO ANY OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT FASHN, AND OPRAH SWEARS BY THEM," SAYS KELLY (BRTANY DANIEL), TRYG TO TALK THE OTHER PLAYERS' WIV TO ACCEPTG A GAY SPOE (FOR A PRICE, OF URSE).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SHORT, THIS SHOW IS PRETTY VIC SATIRE OF AMERIN SPORTS CULTURE, MORE WAYS THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MALIK, THE HOMOPHOBE, IS THE LONGT HOLD-OUT. "MALIK WRIGHT N'T BE BOUGHT," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOSEA CHANCHEZ WH MOOKIE AND MARCELLO THEDFORD THE GAME (PHOTO: STT HUMBERT/THE CW){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE END, HE DO CHANGE, GETTG A RATHER CLUNKY LSON TOLERANCE OM A CHILDREN'S PUPPET ON A TV SHOW ON WHICH HE'S APPEARG — THE ONE WEAK LK THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT EXCEPT FOR THAT ENDG, I WAS SURPRISED BY HOW MUCH I LIKED WHAT I WAS SEEG; FELT LIKE SOMETHG EDGY AND POTED AND REAL — SOMETHG I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• THREE GAY FOOTBALL PLAYERS FEATURED NFL NETWORK SEGMENT ON CARL NASSIB
• THIS WEEK'S "THE GAME" TO FEATURE A GAY FOOTBALL PLAYER AND "OUTG" {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY LYLE MASAKIJANUARY 20, 2009/3:08 PMBY LYLE MASAKIJANUARY 20, 2009 / 3:08 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THIS WEEK'S \"THE GAME\" TO FEATURE A GAY FOOTBALL PLAYER AND \"OUTG\" STORYLE","DATEPUBLISHED":"2009-01-20T20:08:54.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2009-01-20T20:08:54.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LYLE MASAKI","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARCELLO THEDFORD PLAYG A DIFFERENT FOOTBALL PLAYER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I HAVEN'T WATCHED THE CW'S FOOTBALL S THE GAME SCE PREMIERED. I WAS DISAPPOTED WHEN THE SHOW WASN'T "FOOTBALLERS' WIVE$: THE S" AND FAILED TO PTURE THE CHARM OF GIRLIENDS (THE GAME IS A SP-OFF OF GIRLIENDS AND OM THE SAME CREATOR).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT NOW THAT WE'VE LEARNED THAT THIS WEEK'S EPISO FEATUR A GAY STORY, PERHAPS 'S TIME I GAVE THIS SHOW ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE TAILS, AFTER THE JUMP!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN "STAY FIERCE, MALIK" ROB GIVENS (WHO HAS A RECURRG ROLE ON THE SHOW PLAYG A FICTNALIZED VERSN OF HERSELF ... OKAY, I REALLY DO NEED TO GIVE THIS SHOW ANOTHER CHANCE) DROPS HTS AN TERVIEW THAT THE REASON SHE AND MALIK (HOSEA CHANCHEZ) BROKE UP IS BEE MALIK IS GAY. THAT EARNS MALIK SOME LOCKER ROOM TEASG OM HIS TEAMMAT, BUT MALIK EVENTUALLY REALIZ THAT ONE OF HIS TEAMMAT, CLAY (GUT STAR MARCELLO THEDFORD), IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOSEA CHANCHEZ AND ROB {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CLAY IS A NEW CHARACTER, AS FAR AS I N TELL, SO THERE'S NO CHANCE TO LOOK BACK AT OLD EPISOS AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY HTS TO THIS REVELATN. WE'LL BE CHECKG OUT THE EPISO TO SEE HOW THE S ALS WH SUCH A NTROVERSIAL SUBJECT AS GAYS PRO SPORTS; HAS ANYONE OUT THERE SEEN MUCH OF THE SHOW? ANY IAS WHETHER MIGHT BE SOMETHG FOR WHICH WE SHOULD GET OUR HOP UP?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N CHECK OUT A QUICK PREVIEW OF THE EPISO OVER AT THE SHOW'S WEBSE. AND THANKS TO RONI FOR THE TIP!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• CARL NASSIB IS THE FIRST ACTIVE NFL PLAYER TO COME OUT AS GAY
• CARL NASSIB BE FIRST OPENLY GAY PLAYER TO PLAY NFL GAME
• MEET THE 16 OUT GAY AND BI FOOTBALL PLAYERS THE NFL’S 103-YEAR HISTORY
• MATT GAY ON KICKG GAME-WNER AGAST FORMER TEAM: “YOU N’T WRE ”

IMHO: THE GAY STORYLE ON "THE GAME" PLAYED OUT {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 3, 2009/1:52 PMBY BRENT HARTGERFEBARY 3, 2009 / 1:52 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"IMHO: THE GAY STORYLE ON \"THE GAME\" PLAYED OUT NICELY","DATEPUBLISHED":"2009-02-03T18:52:05.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2009-02-03T18:52:05.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BRENT HARTGER","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN LAST WEEK'S EPISO OF THE GAME, THE CW SPORTS S ABOUT FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND THEIR WIV, WE WERE LEFT ON A RATHER DISPRIRG NOTE, WH CLAY, AN OUTED PLAYER, LEFT ALONE THE LOCKERROOM, ABANDONED BY HIS TEAMMAT — PECIALLY THE S'S LEAD CHARACTER, MALIK (HOSEA CHANCEZ).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PICKG UP THE STORY THIS WEEK (ON FRIDAY), MICKEY (BRIAN MCGOVERN), THE TEAM MANAGER, HAS HAD A CHANCE TO THK THGS THROUGH, AND HE'S CID, "WE'RE ALL GOG TO STAND BEHD CLAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WELL, THAT'S BETTER THAN STANDG ONT OF HIM!" LLS OUT ONE OF THE PLAYERS. MALIK EVEN RIGHT OUT AND REFERS TO CLAY AS A "FAG." LATER, ONE OF THE FOOTPLAYER PLAYERS' WIV GETS DNK AND TELLS A SERI OF SURPRISGLY RIBALD GAY JOK. "WHY ARE GAY MEN THE FIRST ON TO CHECK OUT OF A HOTEL? BEE THEY GET THEIR STUFF PACKED AT NIGHT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRIAN MCGOVERN AND COBY BELL ON THE GAME (PHOTO: STT HUMBERT/THE CW){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN OTHER WORDS, THE FOOTPLAYERS TALK AND ACT LIKE BIGOTED, HOMOPHOBIC JOCKS, AND THEIR WIV ACT LIKE DNKEN BRALS TWS — WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY I LIKED THIS EPISO SO MUCH. Y, SOME OF THE HOMOPHOBIC JOK GOT "LGHS" OM THE STUD DIENCE (THOUGH I NOTED THE LGH TRACK WAS NOTIBLY MEASURED ON MOST OF THEM).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE SHOW DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF PORTRAYG HOMOPHOBIA ALL S UGLY GLORY — AND HOW ALL THE RT OF , RELIGN AND THE OTHER "ARGUMENTS" WE SO OFTEN HEAR, ARE UALLY JT A VENEER FOR BLATANT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS BEG A S, THGS ARE WRAPPED UP THE END, BUT EVEN THAT WASN'T S-TYPIL. WHY ARE PEOPLE ULTIMATELY MOTIVATED TO ACCEPT THE GAY PLAYER? COLD HARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"CLAY ULD BE OUR GOLN RABOW PARACHUTE!" THE TEAM MANAGER SAYS. "BEG THE FIRST TEAM WH AN OPENLY GAY ATHELETE WOULD BRG TONS OF PUBLICY. PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE GAYS WILL SHOW UP AND CHEER, PEOPLE WHO HATE THE GAYS'LL SHOW UP AND BOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"SO THIS IS ABOUT MONEY?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"Y!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASILLY, EVERYONE, EVEN THE PEOPLE DOG THE "RIGHT" THG, IS MOTIVATED BY MONEY. MEANWHILE, NO ONE IS PARTICULARLY BRIGHT, NOR GIV MUCH THOUGHT TO ANY OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT FASHN, AND OPRAH SWEARS BY THEM," SAYS KELLY (BRTANY DANIEL), TRYG TO TALK THE OTHER PLAYERS' WIV TO ACCEPTG A GAY SPOE (FOR A PRICE, OF URSE).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SHORT, THIS SHOW IS PRETTY VIC SATIRE OF AMERIN SPORTS CULTURE, MORE WAYS THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MALIK, THE HOMOPHOBE, IS THE LONGT HOLD-OUT. "MALIK WRIGHT N'T BE BOUGHT," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOSEA CHANCHEZ WH MOOKIE AND MARCELLO THEDFORD THE GAME (PHOTO: STT HUMBERT/THE CW){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE END, HE DO CHANGE, GETTG A RATHER CLUNKY LSON TOLERANCE OM A CHILDREN'S PUPPET ON A TV SHOW ON WHICH HE'S APPEARG — THE ONE WEAK LK THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT EXCEPT FOR THAT ENDG, I WAS SURPRISED BY HOW MUCH I LIKED WHAT I WAS SEEG; FELT LIKE SOMETHG EDGY AND POTED AND REAL — SOMETHG I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

The GameCast & crewEpiso aired Jan 23, 2009TV-PG21mDurg an exclive terview wh Extra's Tanika Ray whatever, Rob Givens suat that Malik is gay, and for that reason he wants to break up wh her. Read allDurg an exclive terview wh Extra's Tanika Ray whatever, Rob Givens suat that Malik is gay, and for that reason he wants to break up wh her.

THREE GAY FOOTBALL PLAYERS FEATURED NFL NETWORK SEGMENT ON CARL NASSIB

Meanwhile, Malik learns Clay, (gut star Marcello Thedford), who is one of the other football players is also gay but he... Meanwhile, Malik learns Clay, (gut star Marcello Thedford), who is one of the other football players is also gay but he hasn't told anyone.

" Later, one of the footplayer players' wiv gets dnk and tells a seri of surprisgly ribald gay jok. "Why are gay men the first on to check out of a hotel?

THIS WEEK'S "THE GAME" TO FEATURE A GAY FOOTBALL PLAYER AND "OUTG" {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY LYLE MASAKIJANUARY 20, 2009/3:08 PMBY LYLE MASAKIJANUARY 20, 2009 / 3:08 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THIS WEEK'S \"THE GAME\" TO FEATURE A GAY FOOTBALL PLAYER AND \"OUTG\" STORYLE","DATEPUBLISHED":"2009-01-20T20:08:54.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2009-01-20T20:08:54.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LYLE MASAKI","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARCELLO THEDFORD PLAYG A DIFFERENT FOOTBALL PLAYER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I HAVEN'T WATCHED THE CW'S FOOTBALL S THE GAME SCE PREMIERED. I WAS DISAPPOTED WHEN THE SHOW WASN'T "FOOTBALLERS' WIVE$: THE S" AND FAILED TO PTURE THE CHARM OF GIRLIENDS (THE GAME IS A SP-OFF OF GIRLIENDS AND OM THE SAME CREATOR).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT NOW THAT WE'VE LEARNED THAT THIS WEEK'S EPISO FEATUR A GAY STORY, PERHAPS 'S TIME I GAVE THIS SHOW ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE TAILS, AFTER THE JUMP!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN "STAY FIERCE, MALIK" ROB GIVENS (WHO HAS A RECURRG ROLE ON THE SHOW PLAYG A FICTNALIZED VERSN OF HERSELF ... OKAY, I REALLY DO NEED TO GIVE THIS SHOW ANOTHER CHANCE) DROPS HTS AN TERVIEW THAT THE REASON SHE AND MALIK (HOSEA CHANCHEZ) BROKE UP IS BEE MALIK IS GAY. THAT EARNS MALIK SOME LOCKER ROOM TEASG OM HIS TEAMMAT, BUT MALIK EVENTUALLY REALIZ THAT ONE OF HIS TEAMMAT, CLAY (GUT STAR MARCELLO THEDFORD), IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOSEA CHANCHEZ AND ROB {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CLAY IS A NEW CHARACTER, AS FAR AS I N TELL, SO THERE'S NO CHANCE TO LOOK BACK AT OLD EPISOS AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY HTS TO THIS REVELATN. WE'LL BE CHECKG OUT THE EPISO TO SEE HOW THE S ALS WH SUCH A NTROVERSIAL SUBJECT AS GAYS PRO SPORTS; HAS ANYONE OUT THERE SEEN MUCH OF THE SHOW? ANY IAS WHETHER MIGHT BE SOMETHG FOR WHICH WE SHOULD GET OUR HOP UP?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N CHECK OUT A QUICK PREVIEW OF THE EPISO OVER AT THE SHOW'S WEBSE. AND THANKS TO RONI FOR THE TIP!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

"Brian McGovern and Coby Bell on The Game (Photo: Stt Humbert/The CW)In other words, the footplayers talk and act like bigoted, homophobic jocks, and their wiv act like dnken brals tws — which is probably why I liked this episo so much.

Y, some of the homophobic jok got "lghs" om the stud dience (though I noted the lgh track was notibly measured on most of them) the show did a pretty good job of portrayg homophobia all s ugly glory — and how all the rt of , relign and the other "arguments" we so often hear, are ually jt a veneer for blatant beg a s, thgs are wrapped up the end, but even that wasn't s-typil. Why are people ultimately motivated to accept the gay player? "Beg the first team wh an openly gay athelete would brg tons of publicy.

CARL NASSIB IS THE FIRST ACTIVE NFL PLAYER TO COME OUT AS GAY

People who love the gays will show up and cheer, people who hate the gays'll show up and boo.

"They're really good at fashn, and Oprah swears by them, " says Kelly (Brtany Daniel), tryg to talk the other players' wiv to acceptg a gay spoe (for a price, of urse) short, this show is pretty vic satire of Amerin sports culture, more ways than, the homophobe, is the longt hold-out.

CARL NASSIB BE FIRST OPENLY GAY PLAYER TO PLAY NFL GAME

Rudy Gay...

MEET THE 16 OUT GAY AND BI FOOTBALL PLAYERS THE NFL’S 103-YEAR HISTORY

Matthew Gay... The subject was the impact of Carl Nassib g out as gay the NFL for the Las Vegas Rairs. Matea offensive leman Jake Strer, who is gay, is one of five current or former LGBTQ athlet profiled.

“When I returned to football my sophomore year after g out was bee I knew that if I qu football was jt the begng of thgs I would qu or hold myself back om bee I was gay, ” Strer told Outsports.

MATT GAY ON KICKG GAME-WNER AGAST FORMER TEAM: “YOU N’T WRE ”

“To fast forward to my last football game my senr year and have end wh ‘NFL 360’ there to clu me a story celebratg the first openly gay football player NFL history is still really unbelievable to me. EST, we see scen of Strer’s last game as a Matea Mtang, terspersed wh him speakg about beg gay football and what Nassib’s g out meant to him.

Their experienc are universal, ways good and bad, for many LGBTQ people — Pick talkg about the pa om the ial rejectn by her mom; O’Callaghan discsg suicidal thoughts before beg rcued by a therapist; Rapoport’s touchg rellectn of g out to NFL Commissner Roger Gooll by approachg him at a Super Bowl event holdg her girliend’s hand and Gooll’s se upon seeg ; Saffold discsg growg up Black and gay on the South Si of Chigo “where there are rampant levels of homophobia” and Strer on how he ed to worry “about how bad my life might be after I me out. “I thk 11- or 12-year-old kids playg football prr to Carl Nassib g out didn’t thk there uld be a gay football player, ” Rapoport said.

I was disappoted when the show wasn't "Footballers' Wive$: the s" and failed to pture the charm of Girliends (The Game is a sp-off of Girliends and om the same creator) now that we've learned that this week's episo featur a gay story, perhaps 's time I gave this show another tails, after the jump!